Division II Weekly Preview: Delta State and Lindenwood Clash in Top 10 Matchup

Photo Courtesy: Delta State University Athletics

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It is still rather early in the NCAA season, but two top ten teams will clash in a tri-meet with another top 25 team this weekend along with another stacked invitational in Florida.

The “Division II Fall Showcase” will take place this weekend in Melbourne, Florida with (2/1) Drury, (3/3) Nova Southeastern, (9/22) Florida Southern and (16/NR) Florida Tech. Drury and Nova Southeastern will be expected to duke it out throughout the weekend as the number one ranked women’s team Drury will be tested by another top five opponent.

Nova Southeastern is coming off a win at its own Shark Invitational where it beat formidable women’s teams in Carson Newman (18th) and West Florida (9th). Drury has not had a meet yet this season. It will be the first chance for defending national champions Joan Casanovas (500, 1650) and Bailee Nunn (200 IM, 200 breast) to get their first taste of action in the 2017-2018 season.

The Nova Southeastern men are ranked third in the Division II CSCAA poll after they finished fourth in their own Shark Invitational. They will be facing a Drury team that will be looking to get a national title for the first time since winning ten straight from 2005-2014.

In another top ten clash, (#6/4) Delta State and (#5/7) Lindenwood will face off in a tri-meet against another strong opponent in (#20/NR) Missouri S&T. The meet will be hosted in Rolla, Missouri by Lindenwood as this will be their first meet since the Show-Me-Showdown on September 29. Delta State is also coming off a win against Rhodes and Lindenwood is coming off a win against Truman State.

Delta State is highlighted by Giulio Brugnoni who is ranked first in Division II in the 100 back (48.71) and second in the 100 fly (49.49). Delta State’s Cody Lavoie is also ranked third currently in the 200 IM (1:53.42). Lindenwood is highlighted by Matheus Isidro who has been a 50.02 in the 100 fly this year, where he could clash with Brugnoni. Lindenwood also has a strong senior in breaststroker Justin Winnett who is second in the 100 breast nationally with a 56.17.

Missouri S&T will also figure to be in the mix as they are highlighted by Tim Samuelsen who is ranked seventh in the 500 this year with a 4:40.82.

If the meet comes down to the last relay, it will be a match race between Delta State and Lindenwood as the two team’s added up 400 free relays are only three tenths apart.

On the women’s side, Delta State is led by Lucia Martelli who leads the national rankings in the 100 back (56.66) and the 100 fly (55.66) from her swims at Alabama in mid-September. Lindenwood may have to rely on its depth on the women’s side if they will be able to beat Delta State.

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William Jewell swimmer

6 years ago

This is a quad meet on the men’s side. You forgot to add William Jewell College in this article. Also the meet is being hosted by Lindenwood not Missouri S&T.